Recipient of the 2015 EASA Award

Charles Evans, right, accepts the Exceptional Achievement Service Award from Ken Gralow.

Although Charles Evans is retired, his legacy of commitment and service to our industry is an inspiration to many of those just starting out. Just take a look back at Mr. Evans' impressive career that spans more than 70 years to see proof that hard work and perseverance pays off.

He began his career working on the basics – basics such as sweeping the floor, taking inventory and winding form coils on his first job at Southwest Electric in Oklahoma City. He worked there during summers while still in school.

Then, in 1954, Evans opened his own business. Eventually, there would be 10 family-owned service centers

Evans waited patiently until his business was a year old and was eligible to join EASA – or NISA as it was in those days. He couldn’t wait to network and learn from other members.  He once told his daughter:  “Just to sit and listen to their stories of failure and comeback is something you can never get in schools, seminars or textbooks.”

Evans said that he was hungry for direction in both technical and management areas, and EASA filled that need. He studied the EASA Technical Manual like some would go through a Sears catalog.

Before long, Evans was giving back. He became actively involved at the chapter level, and eventually became president of the Southwestern Chapter in 1973-74.  In 1977, he became director for today’s Region 6. He was installed as EASA’s International president and chairman of the board in 1985. 

While he gave many years of service to EASA, he always said he got so much more in return – such as the knowledge and friendships he still treasures today.

His contributions to EASA are extensive and impressive. This commitment is evident in the nominating letters we received.

For instance, one letter read:

He is truly a trailblazer in our industry and has dedicated endless hours over the years to making our organization as success. As a young EASAn, I spent many hours with him picking his brain on one topic or another. He was never too busy to share his insights, provide assistance, or just lend an ear to a young, impetuous entrepreneur.

Another read:

EASA has been a very important organization in his life.  He feels very fortunate to be associated with an organization that has given so much to his family, employees – and ultimately his customers.

And finally:

He has built one of the most successful EASA family businesses in the U.S., doing it with integrity and fairness. During all those years while building his business, though, he still managed to spend countless hours working for EASA, both at the chapter and international levels.”